diff --git a/meta/classes/rootfs_ipk.bbclass b/meta/classes/rootfs_ipk.bbclass
index e02b816..9a8edb1 100644
--- a/meta/classes/rootfs_ipk.bbclass
+++ b/meta/classes/rootfs_ipk.bbclass
@@ -77,6 +77,15 @@ fakeroot rootfs_ipk_do_rootfs () {
        ${ROOTFS_POSTINSTALL_COMMAND}
        
        runtime_script_required=0
+
+       # Base-passwd needs to run first to install /etc/passwd and friends
+       if [ -e ${IMAGE_ROOTFS}${opkglibdir}/info/base-passwd.preinst ] ; then
+               if ! sh $i; then
+                       runtime_script_required=1
+                       opkg-cl ${IPKG_ARGS} flag unpacked base-passwd
+               fi
+       fi
+


regards,